Pawl-and-ratchet device.



No. 734,822. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

. I H. W. GOOLEY.

PAWL AND RATGHET DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20, 1903. N0 MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Wm E INVENTOH .mzmonms PETERS cc. PHUTO LVTHOH wnsmuamm n c UNITEDSTATES HARRY WALTER COOLEY, OF LONEROOK, OREGON, ASSIGNOR OF HALF TOGEORGE A. BERRY, OF GLEN, OREGON.

Patented July 28, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ONE-

PAWL-AND-RATCHET DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters l atent No. 734,822, dated Julyas, 1903.

l Application filed February 20, 1903. Serial No. 144,178. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, HARRYWALIER COOLEY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Lonerock, in the county ofGilliam and State of Oregon,have invented a new and devices for holding or looking mechanicalcontrivances, such as the brakes of vehicles,

although it maybe used in other relations.

One purpose-f this invention is to provide simple and edective means forlooking a part, such as a brake-shoe, in an applied position andfor'releasing the locking device by a pull exerted in the samedirectionas the pull required to apply or set the part.

Another object that I have in view is to provide means for applying thedevice to a running-gear of a vehicle, thus making the device capable ofuse in connection with vehicles which may or may not be equipped with abody or box.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thecourse of the subjoined description, and the novelty will be defined bythe annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference in- FigureI is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of my pawl-and-ratchetdevice applied to a farm-vehicle and operatively connccted with a partof the brake mechanism. Fig. 2 is an inverted or bottom plan view of thestructure shown by Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation,partly in section, of my pawl-and-ratchet device, illustrating thedifferent positions of the parts from that shown by Fig. l. i Fig. 4c isa view in elevation at right angles to Fig. 3, showing certain parts ofthe vehicle in elevation and in section; and Fig. 5 is a side elevationof another embodiment of the pawlandratchet device, the same beingespecially tion represented by Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive,

'parts maybe of the usual or any preferred construction. In connectionwith the vehicle I have shown a brake mechanism which contemplates theemployment of a brake beam 10, equipped with the brake-shoes 11, thelatter being arranged to engage with the rims of the wheels 6 in theusual way. The brakebeam may be supported on the running-gear of thevehicle oron the body, and said brake mechanism may be of the usual orany preferred type. As shown by Fig. 4, the axle 5 and the bolster- 7are recessed to provide spaces through which the coupling-pole and thehounds are adapted to pass, andone of these recessesas, for example, therecess 13accommodates a part of the improved pawl-and-ratchet devicewhich forms the subject-matter of this application. The part or elementjust referred to as occupying the recess 13 is a clip adapted to supporta lever 15. In the form of the clip shown by the drawings it consists ofa yoke 14, having .the rods 14*, engaging with a clip-plate 14 This yokestraddles the axle 5, and to the end portions of the yoke are fastenedthe upper ends of the rods 14 the lower ends of which are attached tothe clip-plate 149, which extends across the under side of the axle.(See Fig. 4:.) The yoke let is provided with an upstanding lug 16, towhich is pivoted the rear end of the lever 15 by means of a pin 'orbolt17. 18 designates a rock-shaft arranged in a horizontal position belowthe running-gear and transversely of the vehicle, said rockshaft beingjournaled in suitable bearings 19, which, as shown, are formed orprovided on stayd'ods 20, the front ends of said stay rods being securedto the runniug-gearas, for example, to the bounds 9 while the rear endsofthe rods are fastened byclips 21 to the axle. These stay-rodsdivergerearwardly from the hounds to the axle and theyare inclined downwardlybelow the horizontal plane of the running-gear. The rock-shaft 18isprovided with an upstanding armor crank 22, to which may be connected:1. suitable operating device-such, for example, as the pitman 25-- orin lieu of this pitman I may employ a rope or cable ofany equivalentdevice, said 'pitvided with a clip or a pair of ears'38, and

man or cable exte'nding'from the crank-arm 22 to a suitable operatingdevice, such as a lever, provided at the front part of the vehi clewithin convenient reach of the driver. The rock-shaft is furthermoreprovided with a depending crank-arm 24, to the lower end of which ispivotally connected a brake-rod 25 by means of a bolt 26 the latteradapted to be placed in either one of a series of apertures 27, whichare provided in the brakerod 25, thus making provision for adjustablyconnecting said crank-arm of the rock-shaft with the brake-rod. Saidbrake-rod extends forwardly and upwardly fromthe rock-shaft arm 24. tothe brake-beam 10, whereby the rock-shaft is operative] y connected withthe brake-beam to impart movement thereto when said shaft is turned.

One of the important features of my invention is a segmental rack 28,which is made fast with the rock-shaft 18 in any suitable way, thusmaking the rack turn or rock with said shaft. As shown by Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive, this segmental rack is-in the form of a semicircular plateprovided with a series of ratchet-teeth 29 and a ledge or shoulder 30;but I would have it understood that the form and dimensions of the rackare not material, because I may employ a part which is similar to a fullcircular disk or which resembles a quadrant. The rack 28 is fitted onthe rockshaft 18 at a point directly below the lever 15, which is hungon the clip attached to the axle, and this rack is secured firmly to theshaft by means of the clamps 31. Each clamp has a yoke-shaped bolt-whichembraces a hub-flange 32, forming a part of the rack, and the endportions of this bolt are secured to the clamping-plate 31, fittingbelow the rockshaft, whereby the twopart clamp embraces said shaft andmakes the rack 28 fast therewith. The shoulder 30 ofthe rack isconcentric with the axis of the shaft 18 and with the bases of thesegmental row of ratchet-teeth 29. These ratchet-teeth extend a suitabledistance from the peripheral edge of the rack, and they are disposed ina vertical plane at one side of the shoulder 30, thus exposing thesegmental face of said shoulder for engagement by a shoe 33, which iscarried by the free or unconfined end of the lever 15. ed as atriangular plate; but the shape of the shoe is not material, and anyform of plate having a bearing-point or edge 34 may be employed, saidbearing'point being adapted to rest on the segmental shoulder 30 of therack. This shoe is connected pivotally by a pin 35 to an angular end 36of the lever 15, and the shoe is also provided with an offstanding lipor shoulder 37, the latter being adapted in one position of the shoe toimpinge or bear against said angular end 36 of the lever and limit thepivotal adjustment of the shoe with respect to the lever for a purposewhich will hereinafter appear. The lever 15 is also pro- The shoe 33 isrepresentin the space provided by said ears or clip is arranged apawl-lever 39, the latter being hung or pivoted by a bolt 40 to the earsor clip, so that said pawl-lever will be mounted directly on and movablewith the lever 15. This pawl-lever is formed with an inclined beak 41,which is adapted to engage with one or the other of the teeth 29 on therack; but the other end of the pawl-lever terminates in a heavy orcounterweighted arm 42, said arm serving to counterweight the nose ofthe pawl-lever and under certain conditions to lift said nose free fromengagement with the teeth of the rack.

In operation and assuming that the parts are in the position shown byFig. 3 strain in a forward direction is exerted on the pitman 23 or itsequivalent. The arm 22' is drawn in a forward direction to rock theshaft 18, and the arm 24: is moved rearwardly, thus pulling on thebrake-rod 25 and moving the beam 10 in a backward direction, so as toapply the shoes 11 against the wheels. The movement of the rock-shaft 18when the arm 22 is thrown forward turns the segmental rack 28 to theposition shown by Fig. 1, and this movement of the rack carries the shoe33 forwardly and allows the lever 15 and the arm 42 of thepawllever tomove downwardly toward said rack 28, the lever 15 swinging on the axisaforesaid by the boltor pin 17. By the time that the brake-shoes shallhave been applied the pivoted shoe 33 is carried forward a sufficientdistance for the levers 15 and 39 to move downwardly, so that the nose41 of the pawl is in engagement with one of the teeth 29 of the rack,thereby locking the rack in its adjusted position and holding thebrake-shoes applied forcibly against the wheels. applied position of theparts represented by Fig. 1 the pivot 40 of the pawl-lever is at a pointabove a line drawn from the point of the pawl-nose 41 and the center ofthe bolt or pin 17. When this pawl-lever, together with the lever 15,sustains the pressure or strain due to the application of thebrakeshoes, the angular end 36 of the lever 15 is caused to rise untilit is checked by the weighted end 42 of the pawl-lever 39 coming incontact with the lower surface of thelever 15 and the nose of the pawlis still in the notch of the rack. This operation allows the shoe 33 toswing back until the lip 37 rests on the angular end of the lever 15,and the lower point of the shoe 33 rests on the shoulder of the rack 28.The pawl-and-ratchet device thus operates in an efiicient manner to keepthe brake-shoes applied, and when it is desired to release thebrake-shoes the operator is not required to push in a backwarddirection, as in ordinary brake devices. The release of the brake-shoesis efiected by exerting strain on the pitman 23 or the cable in the samedirection as when the brakeshoes are initially applied, and when thisextra strain is exerted on said pitman or cable IOC In the ,1

the partsact in the following way: The continned application of theextra strain has a tendency to turn the rock-shaft and the rack alimited distance in a forward direction, such movement of the rack beingsuificient for the nose of the pawl-lever to free itself from engagementwith the ratchet-teeth, whereupon the counterweighted end 42 of thepawl-lever lifts the nose a sufficient distance to clear the path of theteeth 29 on the rack. The rack is now free to turn with the shaft in abackward direction.

The described construction and arrangement of parts comprisingthe'pawl-andratchet device shown by Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, isespecially useful on vehicles which may or may not be equipped with awagon body or box, because such devices are not attached in any waytothe box or body, but, on the contrary, they are associated with certainparts of the vehicle running'gear. In

Fig. 5 of the drawings, however, I have shown I an embodiment of theinvent-ion which may .slotted lever 49, which is fulcru med by a stud orbolt to the body, said rack 45 being concentric with the center or'axisof movement of the brake-lever. The lever has a pitman .23, pivotallyconnected thereto and extending in a back ward direction to a suitablebrake mechanism. (Not shown.) A lever 15 is connected pi votally anddirectly to the brake- I lever 49 by a pin or bolt 17, said lever 15being also equipped with ears 38 and an angular end36. A pawl-lever 39is hung or pivoted at 40 on the ears 38 of said lever 15*, saidpawl'lever having the nose 41, adapted for engagement with the teeth 46of the fixed rack 45. A shoe 33 is pivoted by a pin or bolt 35 to theangular arm of the lever'15, and said shoe has a point arranged toengage with the shoulder 47 of the rack, and it is also equipped with alip or shoulder 37, which in one position of the shoe is adapted to rideagainst the angular end 36 ofsaid lever 15.

The operation of the pawl-and-ratchet device shown by Fig. 5 is somewhatsimilar to that of the devices represented by Figs. 1 to 44, inclusive.In Fig. 5 the parts are repre- -sented in the positions which theyassume when the brake-shoes are appliedthat is to say, the lever 49maybe moved in a forward direction to exert strain on the pitman 23*-and this movement of the lever causes the shoe 33 to turn on the pivot35 and allow the lever 15 to drop for the nose of the pawllever toengage with one tooth of the rack 45. To release the brake, the operatorpresses in a forward directionon said lever 49 to impose the additionalstrain on the link 23, thereby moving the levers 15 39iforward a limiteddistance and allowingthe nose 41 of the pawllever to free itself fromthe teeth of the rack 45, the counterweighted end of the pawl leverthrowing said nose upward and out of the path of the ratchet-teeth 46.The brake-lever 49 may now move freely in a backward direction, becausethe shoe 33*, which rides on the shoulder 47 of the rack, lifts thelever 15 and with it the pawllever a sufficient distance for the nose ofsaid pawl-lever to lie well above the teeth 46 of said rack 45.

Although I have shown and described my improvements as adapted for usein connection with the brake mechanism of a vehicle, I would have itunderstood that the pawland-ratchet device may be used in other arts orin different relations.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. In a device ofthe classy described, the combination of a rack having a shoulder, alever hung adjacent to said rack, a shoe pivotally carried by said leverand having asingle point of engagement with the shoulder of the rack,and a pawl pivot-ally carried by said lever; said shoe being capable ofa limited swinging movement relative to the lever, and adapted incertain positions to raise the pawl from engagement with the rack.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rack havinga shoulder, and a series of teeth, a lever hung adjacent to the rack, ashoe pivoted to said lever and arranged to ride upon the shoulder of therack, and a pawl carried directly by said lever and adapted undercertain adjustments of the lever for engagement with the teeth of therack, said pawl being counterpoised to normally throw the nose thereofaway from the rack.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a toothed rackhaving a shoulder, a lever hung adjacent to said rack, a shoe pivoted tosaid lever and engaging with the shoulder of the rack, and a pawlpivoted directly to said lever for engagement with the teeth of the rackand having a counterbalanced end adapted to move. the nose of said pawlautomatically out of engagement with said teeth under certainadjustments of the lever. I

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rack havinga shoulder, a lever hung adjacent to said rack, a shoe pivoted to thelever for engagement with said shoulder and having a shoulder to impingethe lever and limit the movement of said shoe in one direction, and apawl carried by the lever for engagement with said rack.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rock-shaft,a rack fixed to said shaft toturn therewith and having a shoulder and aseries of teeth, 'a lever hung adjacent to the rack, a shoe pivoted tosaid ICC shaft and provided with a shoulder, a lever hung adjacent tothe rack, a pawl carried by 15 the lever for engagement with the teethof the rack, and a shoe pivoted to said lever and engaging with theshoulder of the rack.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of 20 two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY WALTER COOLEY.

Witnesses:

J. W. BURNS, SAM E. VAN VAOTOR.

